Our carefully created virtual sessions provides a way for young people to engage in exciting and practical STEM projects from the comfort of their own home, free of charge!
We are dedicated to guiding USTEM members throughout their careers, through higher education and beyond!
We believe everyone should be able to learn. We open up our learning resources to the public and will always strive to ensure no one is left behind
In response to the pandemic, our focus was ensuring the safety of program participants while enabling as much learning and engagement as possible. Our weekly virtual sessions provided just that to a small group from grades 1-6.
Our pilot program, along with the Community Balance Foundation, kicked off at Amerigo A Anastasia Elementary school in Long Branch, NJ. The program consisted of two projects: science exploration (grades 1-5) and Robotics and Chemistry (grades 6-8), and was a huge success!
Founder Jon Burnley began sharing his vision for a means in which young people can fall in love with STEM. Thus, a group of individuals banded together, holding that same vision.
Jon is the founder and director of USTEM. He started USTEM with his friends in college who share the belief that the sciences belong to everyone- so making the topics fun for young people will improve their engagement and make
them easier to learn. Jon graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in energy systems. He currently works as an Inside Sales Applications Engineer. He is also studying for
his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Delaware. Jon is the recipient of the 2021 Future Black Leaders award by Hot 97/ WBLS and Carver Bank. His hobbies include rock climbing, hiking and camping.
Marissa is a co-founder and program guide for the Introduction to Science and Engineering programs at USTEM. Her favorite part of USTEM is engaging with her students and watching them get excited about science and engineering experiments
during lessons. Marissa graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in energy systems and a minor in Biological Sciences. She currently works as a systems engineer and is studying
at Rowan University for her M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on machine learning.
Corey is a program guide for 8th grade robotics and programming as well as an online content creator for remote lessons. He is dedicated to fostering the creative spark that inspires today’s students to become tomorrow’s innovators.
Corey graduated from Rutgers University with an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and now works as a Medical Device Engineer. He is the recipient of the 2020 Excellence in Outreach and Service Award from the Rutgers School
of Graduate Studies.